Jemima and Hayford's Engagement Photography | Victoria Park | London

The beautiful and oh-so-in-love Jemima and Hayford approached Christine Constantine Photography a few weeks back to get some engagement photography, and as the couple hail from East London we chose the stunning Victoria Park for their engagement photoshoot.

Victoria Park or “Vicky Park” as it’s known locally, is Britain’s oldest public park. Opened in 1845 for the benefit of the East End, it has a long and rich history spanning over 170 years.

Victoria Park is the largest park in Tower Hamlets. Its HUGE. 86 hectares to be precise. Every year over 9 million visitors come and enjoy a range of community activities, events, live music and sports.

Victoria Park holds Green Flag and Green Heritage awards. It has held the ‘Green Flag People’s Choice Award’ for nine consecutive years. The Park was also awarded gold medals in the London in Bloom ‘Heritage Park’ and ‘Large Park’ categories. 

Honestly, it makes the PERFECT backdrop for your engagement or post-wedding photoshoot.

Check it out..

Leann and Luke's Wedding Photography | St George's Catholic Church | Wembley

It was a total joy to be Leann and Luke’s wedding photographer. An awesome couple that just radiated their joy and feelings for each other. The couple chose St George’s Catholic Church on the Harrow Road in Wembley and the beautiful sunshine we had on the day made their wedding photography outside the church extra special.

Here are my favourite images from the day..

St George’s Catholic Church Wedding Photography

Inside St George’s Catholic Church, Wembley

Wedding Photography outside St George’s Catholic Church

Zara's Fabulous Mehndi Party

A Mehndi party is a pre-wedding party for the bride and her closest female friends and family members. Centering around the application of the bridal mehndi, or henna design, to their hands and feet—it is one of the most colourful and festive celebrations in both Muslim and Hindu cultures.

As a London wedding photographer it was a dream come true to capture this colourful and joyous celebration.

The History and Meaning of the Mehndi Party

Mehndi, also known as henna, is a dye made from Lawsonia inermis, the henna plant. According the culture, mehndi also has medicinal properties. Its cooling properties provides relief from stress, fever, and headaches, so it is said to calm the bride’s nerves when applied to their hands and feet.

For thousands of years, mehndi has also been used as a form of body art. This is why the Mehndi party is often held the day before the wedding—to beautify and bless the bride before her big day. In Hindu tradition, mehndi is part of the sixteen bridal adornments, which is a ritual for the beautification of the bride from head to toe at the time of their wedding. Mehndi is also encouraged in the Muslim tradition as a hair dye or to beautify hands.

Apparently the darker the stain of the mehndi, the more love the bride will receive from their partner and in-laws. Brides were also told that they shouldn’t do any housework for as long as the stain lasts, which can be up to two to three weeks if natural henna is used.

What Happens at a Mehndi Party

A Mehndi party is a night of fun with lots of food, music, and dancing. Traditionally, the bride parents host the party. Intricate henna patterns are applied to the bride’s (and guests) hands and feet during the event. In modern times, the bride often opts to have a henna artist come to her home before the actual Mehndi party.

The event often starts with a grand entrance to drumming. Guests feed the soon-to-be couple all types of sweets. Brides and grooms perform choreographed dance performances with close family and friends that are often rehearsed for months. The dances are a form of friendly competition between both sides of the family. Women often sit on the ground in front of the couple singing songs and playing the dhol (a type of drum) surrounded by colorful throw pillows and decorations. Bhangra music is commonly played and the dancing can continue for several hours.

At Zara’s mehndi party her husband-to-be Jon also joined in the party. The tradition of the groom’s shoes being stolen for a fee on their return, was also incorporated into the celebrations.

Mehndi Party Photography

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Want great Mehndi Party Photography? Get in touch!

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Lauren and Matt's Wedding Photography | The Happenstance by Drake and Morgan | St Pauls Cathedral

In the heart of St Paul’s sit the stunning wedding venue The Happenstance. Opening out onto Paternoster Square and overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral it makes an exquisite central London venue to tie the knot. It caters for weddings and receptions so you can have everything in one place. Lauren and Matt who work locally chose this venue for their summer wedding photography.

The Happenstance Wedding Photography

St Paul’s Cathedral Wedding Photoshoot and Wedding Party!

Vanda and Alex's Wedding Photography | Hammersmith and Fulham Register Office

Vanda and Alex tied the knot at Hammersmith & Fulham Register Office in late summer. A short and sweet affair they only invited their closest friends and family and followed the beautiful ceremony with a photoshoot in the local park. The different areas lended itelf to some very beautiful and creative wedding photography.

Alice and Graeme's Wedding Photography | Southwark Register Office | The Roebuck Pub | Bread Street Kitchen

Alice and Graeme tied the knot in a simple, yet elegant wedding ceremony in the Garden Room of leafy Southwark Register Office. Southwark Register Office is located on the Peckham Road and easily accessible by public transport, with several bus routes and Oval and Kennington Tube Stations nearby. The ceremony was held in the beautiful garden room, overlooking the lush garden - perfect for post-wedding photography and group shots.

Southwark Register Office Garden Wedding Photography

Wedding Lunch at The Roebuck Pub, Southwark

Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, Southwark

Bread Street Kitchen is located in trendy Southwark, close to Southwark, Borough and London Bridge tube stations. It’s a popular restaurant and bar that offers a unique and sophisticated atmosphere with a variety of spaces/private dining areas etc. A great choice for hosting a wedding party!